Welcome to Inside MCAA, The Blueprint to Mechanical Contracting, the podcast dedicated to unveiling the strategies and resources that power success within the Mechanical Contractors Association of America. Hosted by renowned Customer Experience Coach and NEI Instructor Frank Favaro, each episode dives deep into the wealth of educational tools, networking opportunities, and advocacy efforts that define MCAA.
Monthly we will explore how MCAA supports its members with cutting-edge insights and industry updates, helping navigate the dynamic landscape of mechanical contracting. From legislative advocacy to fostering trusted partnerships, Inside MCAA offers a behind-the-scenes look at the initiatives driving innovation and growth in the field.
Inside MCAA – The Blueprint to Mechanical Contracting- Ep. 13 – Code, Compliance and Craftsmanship: The Role of NCPWB in Mechanical Contracting
In this episode of Inside MCAA, host Frank Favaro welcomes Ron King, Director of the National Certified Pipe Welding Bureau (NCPWB), along with Mike Schum, NCPWB Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Operations Administrator at Postler & Jaeckle, and Bob Durr Jr., Vice Chair of the NCPWB Board of Trustees and Director of Manufacturing at Binsky & Snyder. NCPWB is a tripartite organization comprised of contractors, the United Association (UA), and the Welding Bureau itself, with a mission to jointly develop and maintain commonly used welding and brazing procedures.
These Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) are the foundation of the bureau’s work to ensure quality welding in the mechanical contracting industry. “I like to use an analogy that I think of WPS as like a repertoire of cake mix recipes… If they follow a recipe, they should get a quality weld,” King says.
Durr shares highlights from the 2025 NCPWB Technical Conference, which included a revamped format, featuring keynote speaker Demi Knight Clark and the conference’s first vendor trade show. The event had a record number of 170 attendees and has everyone excited for next year’s conference, which will be in San Antonio, Texas, April 26th to 28th.
The episode also shares the value of NCPWB membership for contractors. “Probably one of the biggest advantages,” Schum says, is access to “45+ joint welding procedures and a nationwide database” of certified welders, making it easier for contractors to stay compliant and reduce costs. Membership is open to all contractors who are signatory to a UA agreement, regardless of MCAA membership.
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